Surviving firefighter testifies in 'Black Sunday' trial

Jurors in the ?Black Sunday? trial heard an emotional testimony Thursday from a firefighter who survived the Bronx blaze that killed two of his colleagues in 2005. Taking the witness stand at the Bronx

News 12 Staff

May 27, 2014, 9:45 PM

Updated 3,622 days ago

Share:

Surviving firefighter testifies in 'Black Sunday' trial
Jurors in the ?Black Sunday? trial heard an emotional testimony Thursday from a firefighter who survived the Bronx blaze that killed two of his colleagues in 2005.
Taking the witness stand at the Bronx County Hall of Justice, Brendan Cawley said he is still haunted by memories from the day when Lt. Curtis Meyran and firefighter John Bellew leaped to their deaths after getting trapped inside the burning building.
Cawley recalled holding on to Meyran just moments before the firefighter fell four stories to the ground.
?I remember it like it was yesterday,? Cawley said. ?The way his body landed in the backyard ? I saw his legs basically snap like sticks.?
After Meyran fell, Cawley says he crawled out the window and dangled from the child window guards for a few seconds before letting go and landing on the concrete floor below.
During cross examination, the defense pressed Cawley for admitting he suffered from memory loss, which may have impaired his recollection of the incident. Cawley fired back, saying he is speaking on behalf of himself living through that day.
Cesar Rios, the Bronx building's landlord, and tenants Rafael Castillo and Caridad Coste have been charged with manslaughter for allegedly contributing to the deaths of Meyran and Bellew by creating illegal partitions in the building.
Surviving firefighter testifies in 'Black Sunday' trial Jurors hear radio transmissions in 'Black Sunday' trialTestimony continues in 'Black Sunday' trial Defendants in 'Black Sunday' case go on trial Tenant: 'Black Sunday' repeat possible at building


More from News 12
Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

Mother and daughter from Mount Vernon sentenced in pandemic-relief fraud scheme

2:10
Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

Late-day showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; chance of thunderstorm for Sunday

1:53
Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

Officials call for no-show Orange County legislator to step down after missing meetings for two years

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:34
Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

Yonkers police: Man wanted for failing to appear in court for car break-in charges

1:57
White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

White Plains dispensary pays it forward, spends green on legal help

0:49
Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

Gov. Hochul signs $10 million literacy plan into law

0:28
Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

Yonkers hip-hop legend Mary J. Blige, Pepsi team up to help women in the city

0:32
Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

Kingston man charged in barbershop stabbing

2:13
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

2:04
Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

Movie theater experience: A close look at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville

1:35
 White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

White Plains community memorializes impactful couple as part of 41st Arbor Day celebration

0:21
Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

Funeral held for Westchester correction officer killed in Scarsdale motorcycle crash

0:31
Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

Police: 18-year-old Washingtonville man with autism has gone missing

0:23
New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

New Korean-style fried chicken restaurant opens in Mahopac

2:16
New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

New Rochelle teacher receives birthday surprise from students, colleagues

1:23
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rally in Irvington during President Biden's visits to Westchester

0:26
Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

Hudson Valley communities receive bronze Climate Smart Certification

0:23
Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

Rockland County sues New York state over when elections can be held

0:21
Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor

Greenwood Lake Board of Trustees appoints interim mayor